Having watched England win the World Cup at the Allianz Stadium in front of nearly 82k, it was back to the Stonex Stadium for thir semifinal. Taking place in front of a disappointingly small crowd.
Saracens opened the scoring through Deborah Wills out on the left wing, she had an easy run through after we’d seen some forwards play over on the right of the pitch. The conversion fell just short.
Exeter hit back quickly with a try for no 7, Maisy Allen, in spite of a valiant effort from Poppy Cleall earlier in their attack. The conversion went to the left of the posts.
Playing with a penalty in their pockets, Cleall put in an outrageous kick over the Exeter defence, Sarah McKenna gathered and scored.
The kick off went straight into touch and Saracens rolled up the pitch before getting the ball to hand, Cleall again kicked, this time for her winger who was unable to gather the ball. Saracens then missed an opportunity having won the Exeter line out, the ball sailing past the lifted players.
Saracens were soon back on attack, after having play halted for an injured player. Winning a penalty from the scrum to restart, they went for a 2nd scrum. Cleall was held up after going for a tap penalty from the next penalty awarded.
Saracens next try came after some lovely ball handling, Jemma Jo Linkins was the try scorer in determined manner.
Saracens won a couple of scrum penalties close to the halfway line. Before kicking for touch. Immediately winning another penalty in the line out.
Exeter won a penalty as Saracens attempted to roll to the line, in spite of one Saracens player being held round the head.
Exeter were again pushed back, on their scrum this time, Saracens winning the put in. The Exeter front row collapsed giving yet another penalty to Saracens. That saw a warning and both Exeter props replaced. Ordinarily risky after 32 minutes. Poppy Cleall scored, taking the ball from the base of the scrum, she was on a mission from minute one! The score was Saracens 20 Exeter 5.
Saracens knocked on from the kick off, Exeter played on them knocked on themselves. A Saracens put in to the scrum another penalty their way as a result. Plus a yellow card for the replacement prop Hannah Sams.
Saracens chose another scrum, wholly sensible as Exeter had to bring on a replacement prop, taking off a back. Saracens won yet another penalty!
Amelia McDougall scored under the posts as the ball was passed through the hands of Liz Crake and Carmen Trmelling after the line out. She converted her own try, taking the score to Saracens 27 Exeter 5 as half time approached.
Exeter had a couple of line outs, where the throw in seemed to take an age, a free kick was awarded against Saracens then Cleall had a go at the referee, causing words to be had! The teams went in with a 22 point lead for Saracens.
Exeter won the first penalty of the 2nd half, as Saracens failed to roll away. Exeter then knocked on. Saracens walked the scrum forward before Cleall picked the ball up, it came out to Wills on the wing who’d rightly backed herself to score. The direction of the kick was good, not the distance.
Exeter had started the half with a lot more urgency, with some good attacking passing in mid field.But it was Saracens who scored again through Emma Hardy after yet another success at the scrum. The conversion was successful, taking Saracens to 39.
Saracens had made a couple of changes including Georgia Evans, pink bows and all, back after her World Cup adventures.
Exeter got into the Saracens half at last on 63 minutes in the 2nd half, only to give away a penalty. Both substituted Exeter props, nicely rested, returned to the fray in the 2nd half, an anomaly that allows those in a specialist position to replace an injured player.
Bryony replaced Poppy, one Cleall for the other!
Saracens also returned one of their substituted props. In spite of considerable changes to the personnel in the forwards Saracens won another penalty in the scrum in their own half. They thought they’d scored again a scrum later but had given away a penalty.
Exeter knocked on, another scrum, another penalty, but got offside this time.
The 80 minutes ticked over on the stadium clock which hadn’t taken account of injury stoppages. The referee did blow up with a final score of Saracens 39 Exeter 5
365 Sporting Days - New! 